 |
|
 |
||
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||
MidWest MFA AgriServices group has locations at St. Joseph, Maysville, and KingCity. CLICK - MFA CONNECT
|
|
Printable Page
01/19 22:42 CST Curt Cignetti completes his masterpiece, coaching unbeaten
Indiana to title in his 2nd season
Curt Cignetti completes his masterpiece, coaching unbeaten Indiana to title in
his 2nd season
By ALANIS THAMES
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- Curt Cignetti came to Indiana to win championships.
The old-school, blunt-spoken coach who began his Hoosiers tenure with a promise
to bring swift success to the losingest program in college football completed
his masterpiece on Monday night, guiding Indiana to a 27-21 win over the Miami
Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff final and the first national
championship in school history.
Cignetti accomplished what few imagined could be done --- at least not this
quickly. But after taking advantage of the transfer portal and name, image and
likeness money to build a championship roster, Cignetti coached the Hoosiers to
their first No. 1 ranking, and they finished off an undefeated campaign in
front of 67,227 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, concluding one of the most
surprising turnarounds in college football history.
Cignetti became the first head coach to win a national title in his first or
second season with a team since Gene Chizik led Auburn to the championship in
2010.
As expected, Cignetti barely cracked a smile during the game Monday night. He
didn't show much emotion when Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara blocked a
punt by Dylan Joyce, leading to a touchdown.
The 64-year-old threw his hands up briefly in triumph after Heisman
Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza muscled his way into the end zone
to put the Hoosiers up by 10 midway through the fourth quarter.
Even as Indiana players began celebrating victory after intercepting Miami's
Carson Beck in the final minute, Cignetti's eyes remained on the field, waiting
for the final seconds to tick off the clock.
Once it was final, as confetti began to hit the ground, Cignetti sprinted onto
the field and pointed toward the sky.
"We won the national championship at Indiana University," he said. "It can be
done."
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up
here. AP college football:
https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and
https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
